Merchandiser - Hard Goods

Li & Fung•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Merchandiser will support our customers and overseas sourcing teams throughout the product development cycle, from initial concept through shipment. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely product execution while maintaining strong collaboration across teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with a high level of professionalism and commitment to quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in merchandising or business, or related field.
Minimum 3-5 years merchandising, product development or sourcing experience.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with all cross-functional and global teams.
Strong ability to multi-task, anticipate and meet deadlines.
Highly motivated, detail oriented, and punctual while independently solve problems in a fast-paced and time critical environment.
Knowledge of textiles or other materials used to create products in categories as mentioned.
Proficient in Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, Excel and Power Point

Nice To Haves

Flat sketching and CAD capability a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Act as a liaison between the customer and overseas sourcing teams specific to their role.
Research, identify and analyze market trends and product categories to help drive sales and propose new items to the customer.
Responsible for all obtaining all quoting information, costs & samples from overseas teams.
Purchases necessary samples and sends overseas for costing.
Works with sourcing teams on all product details and cost design that works within the customers pricing strategy in order to gain the sale.
Uploads all data/documents into the customers system and submits supplier samples by deadline.
Owns pre-costing calculation for new items, making sure all items are profitable.
Completes new item proposal forms and retail comparisons for all businesses.
Manages all factory compliance forms for each order and communicates this to the compliance teams.
Uphold key dates on the production calendar from product concept to order shipment.
Oversees the workmanship, quality, and fit process for all relevant orders.
Owns approval process of lab dips, print strike-offs and trim details for all orders textile related products.
Communicates all approvals and changes from the customer to the overseas sourcing team and supplier.
Manages the QA testing process for all businesses.
Works directly with customer’s QA Team regarding all testing guidelines, failures, retests and achieving passing results within designated timelines as they relate to running orders.
Owns the artwork packaging process from design phase to completion including photography.
Provides clear direction to the graphic artist on initial artwork.
Schedules and owns photoshoot model selection, location shoot and photo edits.
Works with the customer directly on packaging approvals and revisions.
Sends overseas sourcing teams all artwork files within production timeline deadlines.
Manages all packaging sample submits & approvals once supplier sends prototypes.